Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Russell. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Samantha Elizabeth Russell is a Cincinnati, Ohio Native. Her love for the arts began at an early age, writing songs and choreographing dance routines with her cousins. Her dancing career continued in High School as she performed competitively and choreographed several musicals; OKLAHOMA, RAGTIME, and SOUTH PACIFIC.
Samantha attended the University of Cincinnati, where she continued to perform in talent shows and step competitions with her sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho. Inc. Upon graduating with intent to go into the field of Marketing, she caught the acting bug and joined Cincinnati Black Theatre Company. There she performed in productions such as THE COLOR PURPLE as Nettie and SHAKIN’ THE MESS OUTTA MISERY as Maggie.
She has since appeared in various play/film festivals, feature films, traveling theatre tours, commercials, regional theatre and has won best actress in a feature film for her role as Beth Booth in A TOUCH OF STARDUST. Some of her favorite productions include; CORETTA SCOTT KING AND THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, THE DANCING PRINCESSES, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, and OTHER BOTHER, Performance Gallery. She later went on to earn her Masters in acting at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England where she currently resides.
Recently Samantha has starred in I SHALL NOT BE MOVED a World Premiere at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati; A one-woman show recounting the story of nationally recognized Civil Rights pioneer Betty Daniels Rosemond and her beautiful, horrifying, and trailblazing journey through the American South as one of the first Freedom Riders during the 1960s.
Now she is preparing to perform the show at Edinburgh, Scotland’s Fringe Festival 22- 26 August. She is also the lead character Jazmin Price in a TV series pilot called HAUNTOLOGY, where an older sister takes her fearless runaway sibling on a road trip to share the most chilling tales surrounding their hometown. This series is set to release 2024.
Below are useful links
I SHALL NOT BE MOVED IN CINCINNATI
https://ensemblecincinnati.org/calendar/not-be-moved-tour-guide/
I SHALL NOT BE MOVED FRINGE SCOTLAND
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/i-shall-not-be-moved
Samantha’s personal website
https://www.samanthaerussell.com/what-s-she-up-to
Samantha’s IMDB profile
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6631371/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Whew, it has been bumpy. The hardest parts were building a thick skin to rejection from Casting directors. Sometimes you don’t even hear back after an audition, and so many times I am brought in for a callback and don’t actually get the role.
Also moving to another country (ENGLAND) and adjusting to their education system during my Master’s program was difficult, and learning the accent during Drama school took time.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an actor that specializes in stage, film, and tv. I am most proud of my tenacity; acting comes with a lot of rejection, I still rise to the challenge of each audition, despite the amount of times I have been told no.
What sets me apart from others is my ability to understand that I don’t know everything – every day is new lesson in my journey.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6631371/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Yes! That if the world shuts down again, I need to have another source of income outside of acting. Also, I had a lot of time to reflect on life and my purpose – it helped me put so many things into perspective.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.samanthaerussell.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam_bams/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samtheactress/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoi-_EsrpLfk78gGv1NS8AA
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6631371/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Image Credits
Ryan Kurtz
Ivan Weiss
Mikki Shaffner
